Chelsea are looking like a force to be reckoned with despite our resident Blues fans here in the Transfer Tavern writing off their chances earlier on this season.

We remember it well, here behind the bar. First, the Stamford Bridge side were outplayed by Liverpool at home and simply couldn’t get a foothold in the game before things got even worse the following weekend as Arsenal taught the Blues a lesson at the Emirates.

It was that game, though, where things began to change as Antonio Conte employed a 3-4-3 in the second half with the game already gone.

That formation stemmed the flow in that fixture, though, and since they’ve used it to great effect to get themselves back in the title race.

Conte must be thinking of ways to improve the side for January now he can see they’ve got a real chance of the title and our landlord reckons these four midfielders could be perfect…

Giacomo Bonaventura

The midfielder has only just shot to prominence for AC Milan despite being nearer 30 than he is 20 but, nevertheless, he still looks like a top player now.

The Rossoneri are back in business it seems this season after years in the Serie A wilderness, and Bonaventura has been a big part of that.

Milan will want to keep him, then, but a big bid from Chelsea could do the trick.

Radja Nainggolan

The man with arguably the oddest haircut in football would be dynamite in the Premier League.

Whilst Chelsea fans are relatively happy with N’Golo Kante’s performances for the side, here in the Transfer Tavern many are not as convinced about Nemanja Matic and feel he could be replaced easily.

Nainggolan would certainly be a top replacement and would make Chelsea a real force.

Marcelo Brozovic

With Inter Milan really struggling this season and seemingly on the brink of complete implosion, the rest of Europe will be watching keenly to see which of their stars they can nab.

Players like Mauro Icardi will top the bill of course – but that isn’t to say the likes of Brozovic should be overlooked.

He’s a very energetic force in the central areas and would be a good asset for many teams.

Manuel Locatelli

Locatelli is one of AC Milan’s latest prize assets and so they will want to keep hold of him for as long as possible.

The Italians are trying to re-establish themselves at the top of Serie A, so keeping the youngster would be absolutely fundamental to that.

The problem is, the league does not have the financial clout of the Premier League – and if Chelsea lodge a significant bid, Milan could just have to stand aside.